Climate change and a rapid pace of urbanization has led to an increase in the frequency as well as intensity of urban floods. Indian cities are not immune to the problem and given the increased urbanization in India, it is essential to discuss practical solutions for the problem.

Key demand of the question.

The question wants us to bring out the meaning of a Sponge city. It also wants us to write in detail about the relevance of the sponge cities in the urban landscape.

Directive word

Discuss- This s an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. We also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.

Structure of the answer

Introduction– Bring out the meaning of a sponge city. E.g A sponge city is a city that is designed to passively absorb, clean and use rainfall in an ecologically friendly way that reduces dangerous and polluted runoff. Associated techniques include permeable roads,rooftop gardens, rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, green space and blue space such as ponds and lakes.

Body-

Discuss its working in detail and also discuss whether such city development programmes are required and desirable in case of India.

E.g It’s a new way of thinking about stormwater, not as a problem but as an opportunity and a resource to augment our water supply; By catching water at the tops of buildings and other places, and storing it in soil (and tanks for later use in the garden when it’s dry), water can be used to keep green spaces verdant, provide an outdoor area for the people who live and work in the building, and even be used to grow food etc.

Also mention the growing urbanization and related projections for future India. Mention the recent mega-floods like the Chennai floods, Srinagar floods etc and discuss how the concept of sponge cities can be effectively employed in case of Indian cities.

Conclusion– Based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.